Fluid-pressure tank



Oct. 16, 1928. I 1,687,641

'C. AALBORG v FLUID PRESSURE TANK Filed Feb. 26', 1921 INVENTOR ATTO NEY Patented Oct. 16, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT, oFFicE."

CHRISTIAN .AALBORG, or PITTSBURGH, rENNsYLvANIA,'nssreNon To WEsTINq- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION or PENNSYL- VANI.A I I FLUID-PRESSURE TANK.

Application filed F ebruary 26, 1921. Serial No. 448,239.

templates the maintenance of communication between a tank and the atmosphere during the time that the pressure within the tank does not exceed atmospheric pressure and for automatically effecting a closure of the tank against communication with the atmosphere during the time that the pressure within the tank is within predetermined limits. When pressure with n the tank rises above a predetermined point, communication Wlll again be established between the atmosphere and the interior of the tank, to permit the venting of excess pressure.

In the preferred form of my invention, I employ a plurality of vents so arranged that the circulation of air through the tank to clear the same of gases is facilitated during the time that there is no pressure in the tank.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a tank with my improved itorm of vent control applied thereto.

For purposes of illustration, I have shown my apparatus as applied to a tank 1, such as may be used in connection with an electric circuit breaker, to contain "oil or other fluid for quenching the arcs which may be formed during the opening or the closing of the breaker (not shown). p

A casing 2 is provided for housing the operating mechanism for the contact members that are supported within the tank 1, communication being effected between such casing and tank by means of a tubular connection 3. Both the tank 1 and the casing 2 are sealed against communication with the atmosphere, except for the vents which will hereinafter be described.

The tank 1 is provided with a vent, as shown, such vent being surrounded by a casing 4 that is bolted to the top of the tank 1.

A pair of valve members 5 and 6 are provided within the casing 4. The valve member 5 is normallyheld against'its seat by acompression spring 7 that is, in turn, held securely in place by a pair of bolts8 and a crosshead 9. v

The interior of the tank 1 is normallyin communication'with the atmosphere, through an opening 10 and a stack 11 which is provided to convey the fumes from the interior of the tank to a: convenient distance. The valve 6 is slid'ably supported in a bracket 12 that'is secured to the valve member 5, and it acts as'a check valve. A vent-com trolling apparatus 131s provided forthe casmg 2 and is identical in construction and operation with the apparatus'just described for controlling the vent of the tank -1.

The valves of both the tank 1 and the casing 2 normally occupy the positions illustrated, and air may freely circulate through the tanks and the casing. The mounting of the one vent in a higher plane than the other serves to facilitate the circulation of air to cleanse the interior of the tank 1 and the casing 2 of gases.

When the body of liquid within the tank 1 is heated, by reason of the formation of an are between thecontact members, pressure iscreated within the tank and is directed against the check valves 6 and the disc-like members 14 that are carried thereby, thus causing the valves 6 to seat against the under side of the valve members 5, cutting off communication between the interior of the tank .and the atmosphere. As the pressure within the tank increases, the arc is extinguished but, if such pressure increases toa point above which it may not safely gowithout danger of rupturing the tank, the valve members 5 are carried upward against the compression of the springs 7, thus permitting the excess pressure to escape- As soon as the pressure within the tank dies down, the valves return to the positions illustrated in the drawing, and the'tank and the casing are once more open to the atmosphere to permit circulation of air therethrough'.

The pipe 11, besides serving to conduct the gases of combustion away from the vicinity of the tank, may also serve as an oil saver in case an explosion takes place within the tank and oil is thrown through the vents.

Various modifications may be made in the design of the apparatus without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, only one spring-held valve member need be providerhand but'one check valve is necessary save in so far as a plurality of openings are desirable in order tosecure an e1iective circulation of air'through the tank. Furthermore, the ventsma'y both be mounted on the tank itself and need not necessarily occupy difi'erent horizontal planes; Other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim as my invention 1. "An. electrical device provided with a vent to permit the escape of gases therefrom, said-vent being provided with closure means for confining the gases within the device during-the time that the pressure of such gases remains within predetermined maximum and minimum limits.

2. A fluid filled electrical device provided with a two part venting device one part of which is provided with closure means for con fining the fluid in the device during the time that the pressure of such fluid exceeds a predetermined limit, and the other part of which is provided with closure means adapted to release the fluid from the device when the pressure of such fluid exceeds a predetermined further limit.

3. An electrical device provided with a two part venting device one part of which is provided with a valve adapted to close under a predetermined pressure from within the device and the other part of which is provided with a valve adapted to open when the pressure within; the device reaches a predetermined value.

4. he combination with a vent for a fluidpressure tank, ot a valve therefor provided with enlarged portions, respectively disposed interiorly and exteriorly of the tank, one of said enlarged portions being adapted to seat against the wall of the tank to close said vent, and the other enlarged portion being adapted to be acted upon by the passage of fluid pressure through said vent whereby said valve is moved to its closed position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15th day of February, 1921.

CHRISTIAN AALBORG. 

